Apparatus for forming blanks



Aug. 31, 1954 J H FRIEDMAN APPARATUS FOR FORMING BLANKS Filed Oct. 17. 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 mil?! IN VENT 0R. JOHN H. FRIED/MAM BY PIC/{H53 was Aug. 31, 1954 J. H. FRIEDMAN APPARATUS FOR FORMING B ANKS 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Oct. 17, 1951 8 N6 H mu I I m N m a n Q I .IIILI .I II n Q HE q f EFT F MI I I HU I, I F r+wwm m\ IIIJ \\.\\NN\ M. 6 I HFI aw llll II I I I I I II III. I IllIs IIIII I 6 III I h 3/ AIII J I LMIIV I :2 mi 3 um m z I. II rL s II IIIII m m S .u mm II IIIII I fin a Q 0 w O I I II N 4 I I I II II. M III II I I. O n 0 O G O 0 I I Wm I I I I o H o o o D D I o D o O 6 O m9 R X I E. Q O n v INVEIVTOR. JOHN HFEIEDMAN m 21am; mr u a:

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I I mm o x. O I mm Aug. 31, 1954 J. H. FRIEDMAN APPARATUS FOR FORMING BLANKS 7 Sheds-Sheet 3 Filed Oct. 17, 1951 FRIEDMAN J, aww/w ATTORNEYS iiiifll l l l l l I a? INVENTOR.

JOHN H Aug. 31, 1954 J. H. FRIEDMAN 2,687,660

, APPARATUS FOR FORMING BLANKS Filed Oct. 17, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 31, 195 f, J. H. FRIEDMAN 2,687,660 APPARATUS FOR FORMING BLANKS Filed Oct. 17. 1951 7 Sheejs-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. JOHN H. FE/EOMAN BY Aug. 31, 1954 J. H. FRIEDMAN 2,687,660 APPARATUS FOR FORMING BLANKS Filed 001:. 17, 1951 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. He JOHN HFBIEDMAN' emsrwrmge ravammor ATTOENEY Aug. 31, 1954 Filed Oct. 17, 1951 J. H. FRIEDMAN v APPARATUS FOR FORMING BLANKS 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Patented Aug. 31, 1954 r UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,687,660 APPARATUS FOR FORMING BLANKS John H. Friedman, Tiflin, Ohio, assignor to The National Machinery Company, Tiflin, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application October 17, 1951, Serial No. 251,801 12 Claims. (CI. 7899) form by forging or heading operations, particue almost completely knocked out of the die larly with automatic machinery of the type recavity before the fingers need be brought into ferred to in the art as cold headers. place to receive the blank. Thus, the problems An object of the invention is to facilitate the of ejecting and holding the blanks on. a single formation by cold working of blanks having irmachine are varied.

regular, tapered, flanged, or other external con- Another object of the invention is to accurately tours, as well as to facilitate the formation of guide and grip tapered blanks. In accordance such blanks without excessive work hardening with the Invention tapered blanks are readily Experience has shown that such blanks prehandled even where variations 1n blank lengths sent special problems with reference to the use and potent1al1nterference difliculties between the of automatm multiple-station metal working matools and the transfer finger ex1st, by the use of chinery such as cold headers, particularly with 5 spring knockouts instead of the usual positively respect to blank handling including the autooperated cam or lever type knockout The spiing matlc transfer of the blanks from work station knockouts serve to hold the blanks against the to Work station in the machine. associated tools as the header slide recedes so Machines of the aforesaid type comprise a that where tool interference is likely, the transbed frame, a die breast and a set of dies, a header fer fingers need not be immediately positioned at slide having a plurality of tools thereon aligned the die, even if the blank is tapered during the with the dies, means to intermittently feed stock, cycle. As a result, I have found that the flexibility them to the first work station and means to sucgers at certain stations are moved 1nto or away cessively transfer the blanks from station to from the dies ahead of or behind the correspondstation and out of the machine when completed. ing motion of other transfer fingers Problems Another ob ect of the invention is facilitatmg of this type have restricted the use of prior appathe formation of blanks having external conratus, wher in the transfer fingers all move into tours of the type referred to on multiple-station and out of position or open and close simultaneheaders. ously by actuation of a single timing cam or in regard to the handling of blanks having subcreased variety of blanks that may be produced.

machine whereas this difilculty W not be types of knockouts. As a result of the various countered with the slender tool because in this features and improvements described, flanged vision of blank-handling apparatus that will acof different axial dimensions during the cycle, commodate blanks of substantially different axial may be readily formed in automatic, multiple die, length, some of which may be tapered. Diificulty heading machinery.

,has arisen in connection with the formation of I have found that other problems arise in externally tapered blanks, because a tapered connection with the ejection or knockout of blank is laterally freed from the tapered die cavity flanged or tapered blanks from the dies into the almost as soon as the knockout process begins, transfer fingers. For example, if a blank having a flanged outer end and a tapered body is formed, when ejection begins the transfer fingers must be initially opened enough to receive the large flanged end of the blank and then must close rapidly to maintain a grip on the tapered body. However, since the blank is tapered, once ejection or knockout is initiated, the blank may be freed from compression by the die and may tend to be thrown axially out of the die faster than the fingers can close to accommodate and grip the irregular contour. Such blanks may therefore be dropped or lost in the machine. I have found that this problem, which is a part of the larger problem of blank handling referred to, can be solved by providing properly timed stop or backup fingers which are moved into the path of axial motion of blanks being ejected, to limit the axial motion of such blanks and assure that the fingers may eventually close upon and properly grip. and transport these blanks.

Another object of the invention resides in facilitating the manufacture of certain specially shaped blanks such as blanks for the flanged and tapered inner race for an anti-friction bearing. Such bearing races may be formed, in accordance with the invention, rapidly and accurately and without excessive cold working by shortening an enlarging the a blunt tool, piercing and elongating the stock with a slender tool and simultaneously expanding it against the mouth of a tapered die, fianging or completing the flange in another tapered die with a blunt tool, and punching a hole in the blank by completing the pierced recess previously formed with a rclievedpunch.

The manner in which these and other objects and advantages are obtained will be ap parent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a general plan view of a typical type of cold header that may be employed to carry out the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the transfer mechanism;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the die breast;

Figs. 4 and 5 are sections taken on 4- 3 and 5-5 of Fig. 2 with parts removed for clarity;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary section showing a suitable spring-type knockout assembly;

' Fig. '7 is a section through the tools and die as the various blanks are being pushed into the dies by the tools;

Fig. 8 shows the completion of the blanks in the dies;

Fig. 9 shows a stage in the knockout or ejection of the blanks from the dies; and:

Fig. 10 shows one of the blanks engaging a stop or restraining finger.

Fig. l is a plan view showing the elements of a typical cold header suitable for carrying out the invention. Such headers are well known to those skilled in the metal working art and in the interests of clarity only the constructional details of header apparatus peculiar to this invention will be completely described.

The header comprises a reciprocating header slide H carrying tools T1--T5 and connected to the usual crank shaft :2 driven by suitable means known in the art. Also provided is a cross shaft i3 driven at crank shaft speed by a suitable gearing also known in the header art.

In the construction shown in Fig. 1 the longia massive bed frame It, I

tudinal shaft I4 is geared to shaft i3 which in turn drives a cross shaft It which operates the knockout means for the dies or work stations. The details of the cams and levers or the like for operating the knockouts and the timing of such devices relative to the other parts of the machine are not critical to the invention and the general principles of such timing and a suitable drive mechanism toaccomplish it are known in the art. For example, the construction and timing arrangement of a suitable machine is disclosed in the patent to Clouse, 2,139,936, December 13, 1938. A knockout drive mechanism indicated generally at IT operates a knockout Ila at the first work station and the same applies to W and I811 and to I9 and. lila at other work stations except that knockout file is arranged to permit ejection of a punched slug Without interference of the knockout cams and levers. In the embodiment of the invention shown, spring knockouts 2| and 22 are mounted at the second and third work stations.

The blank transfer mechanism (in the form of the invention shown) is operated from shaft l4 by any suitable mechanism not criticalto the invention unless otherwise mentioned. Suitable means for reciprocating the transfer fingers between work stations and means for supplying power to open and close the fingers are disclosed in detail in the patent to Clouse, 2,026,823, January 7, 1936. For examplain order to reciprocate the transfer fingers, the cam 23 mounted on shaft It moves a rod 24 which is geared or otherwise connected to a vertical shaft 25 causing the shaft to oscillate and in turn reciprocate a rod 2'! which connects to the carriage as at 28 (Fig. 3) that mounts the transfer fingers. This carriage indicate at 29 is mounted for reciprocation relative to the die breast and carries the shafts 3i and am which mount respectively transfer fingers 32 and 320. best shown in Fig. 3.

Power for opening and closing the transfer fingers is (as shown in detail in the aforesaid Clouse patent) obtained from a cam 33 (Fig. 1) mounted on shaft 14 for reciprocating the crank 3 3 (Fig. 1) by means of a vertical shaft 35 (shown in part in Fig. 3) the lower end of which engages the cam 33. This causes timed oscillation of a cross shaft 36 which operates novel mechanism for causing independent opening and closing of each set of transfer fingers, the latter mechanism to be described in detail presently.

A shear il (part of which appears in Fig. 3) reciprocates between a lower station which includes the usual shearing quill through which stock S is fed by intermittently operating feed rolls driven by mechanism known in the art, a suitable feed roll drive appearing in the patent to Clouse, 1,856,027. The means for reciprocating the shear and the proper time relationship are not critical to the invention, a suitable construction and timing chart appearing in the. aforesaid patent to Clouse, 2,139,936. The shear il carries a combined stock gauging and ejecting pin 42 which is urged against a stop 43 (Fig. 1) by the feeding action of the stock feed rolls. The shear is then lifted into position in front of the first die or work station D1, thereby shearing off the first blank and presenting it to die D1. The shear is shown in its retracted or lower position in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

The complement of basic elements of the premoved by means of a crank and ferred formof the invention on the frame as tained in position by bolts means of a spring-biased plunger 58 which as seen in Fig. 4 engages a projection 59 of the housing 53.

mounted on another finger shaft am, the same shaft carrying a sector arm Bla which meshes with a sector 62a mounted on the other finger shaft 3|. 64 and 54a form part Of a 66, be opened independently of the other pairs of transfer fingers. As best seen in Figs. 2 and 4, the finger-control mechanism includes lever 61 mounted on a rocker shaft 68 and having a rearward extending arm pivoted thereon as at 69 and including a rearward extension 12 and a are notched as at 83 to provide. shoulders for restraining blanks that may be ejected from dies The positioning of these fingers in shaft 93 below the die breast.

is in turn oscillated by means of ably keyed thereto.

The crossshaft a crank 94 suit- In order to bias the stop spring 98 which 99 on the rod on one end and a spring casing fixed at I 0| in the other end. 0 drive the stop fingers, fork l02surrounds a screw I 06 mounted in a bell crank lever I07 which rocks on shaft 68 and carries a roller I08 that is urged against control and drive cam I09 by spring 98, the latter cam being fastened to th timing shaft 36L g The mechanism controlling the transfer finger carriage is in itsadvanced or right-hand position as seen in Fig. 3 (no blanks appearing in the latter fig- With regard to the conditions at die D4, blank B3 made in the previous die is shown partially inserted into die D4, and the transfer fingers at this station are still in place to assist in centertransfer fingers at die D4 to clear the blunt-nosed tool T4.-

shape of the die cavity,

mitted opening of the possible interference between such fingers and the flanged portion l29- of the blank.

"stroke and illustrates I somewhat in die .for the same may be then opened At die D5, the blank B4 was advanced early in the stroke into the centered position by the relatively long punch T which, coupled with the makes the centeringof in the die and has per transfer fingers before the blank relatively easy The aforesaid description of the carrying out or aportion of applicants method by the apparatus described illustrates the advantages attendant upon independent control of the opening motion of the transfer fingers.

Fig. 8 shows the completion of the heading the sequences of stations and applicants method of forming a bearing race. The blank B1 is squared in die D1 by tool T1 and pin 42. The blank is flattened and the diameter thereof is increased and the blank is tapered D2 by The flattened blank B2 is pierced in die D3 and given a tapered external contour by an elongated piercing tool T3. In die Di, the tapering of the blank is accentuated and the blank is flanged as at- I29 by a blunt tool having a nose l3l for prevention of fillin in of the pierced cavity previously produced. At die D5, the blank is punched to separate the slug i3! by means of the punch T5 which is formed with an enlarged nose I36 that provides clearance and reduces wear of the parts. The die cavity I34 of die D5 is substantially like the die cavity in die D4. The sleeve |9a serves to receive the slug I31 and to back up the blank during punching and it also acts as a knockout member.

Fig. 9 shows a stage of the knockout operation. The header slide has partially retracted and the transfer fingers at die D1 need not, due to the cylindrical nature of the blank, be in position until knockout Ila is actuated. The trans fer fingers are shown retracted or open at this die, made possible by the individual timing, and reason they could be left in position for holding the blank if so desired. At die D2, the spring knockout H0 assists in centering the blank against tool T2 because, due to the tapered wall l2! of the die cavity, the blank B2 is not guided by the die cavity after knockout begins. The transfer fingers at this stage are individually timed to close in front of the die cavity as soon as the blunt tool T2 has retracted to give sufiicient clearance. This illustrates the cooperation between spring knockout means and independently-controlled transfer fingers.

At die D3, the blank is centered by cooperation of the conical nose I26 of the tool T3 and the spring knockout 0a. Here the transfer fingers can be brought into position early in the ejection cycle because of the slender nature of 17001 T3.

At die D4, knockout 18a has not yet been projected by its cam or lever because the blunt tool T4 would interfere if the transfer fingers were positioned in front of the die. This also illustrates the relationship between the nature of the blank, the independent timing of the transfer fingers, the nature of the tools, and the means for operating the knockouts, in that they all cooperate and make possible the production of a blank heretofore difficult to form on automatic headers.

In view of the tapered and flanged nature of the blanks in dies D2 and D4, they tend to be released from compression in the die as soon as knockout begins and furthermore, the transfer fingers may not be able to close fast enough on the blanks to follow the tapered contour and prevent projecting and shooting the blanks completely clear of the fingers. To prevent the lat ter, stop bars 82 are lifted (upon retraction of the tools) so that the shoulders 83 act as a guard and insure that the blanks cannot be projected far enough from the die breast to make it diificult for the transfer fingers to close upon and grip the blanks. For example, in Fig. 10 the transfer fingers, which can be timed to be presented so as to initially grip the flange I32 of the blank B4, must now, be rapidly and precisely closed to follow the tapered contour of the blank. If this does not occur and if the blank were otherwise unrestrained, the blank could easily be projected clear of the fingers. This problem is also present if spring knockouts are used, but can be readily solved by adding stop bars 82 where necessary.

Having completed a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention so that others skilled in the art may be able to understand and practice the same, I state that what I desire to secure by Letters Patent is not limited by said preferred embodiment but rather is defined in what is claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for forming metal articles comprising a frame, a die breast thereon having two or more work stations for the reception of blanks, a header slide reciprocable on said frame, a carriage reciprocable laterally on said die breast, a plurality of pairs of blank transfer fingers on said carriage, means to move the fingers of individual pairs to a blank-gripping and a blank-releasing position independently of each other, blank knockouts for said work stations, means to reciprocate said carriage and all pairs of fingers simultaneously back and forth between a blankreceiving position in front of one work station and a blank-depositing position in front of the adjacent work station, and timing means for said finger-moving means, said timing means being constructed and arranged that when the carriage is in one of its positions relative to the work stations one pair of fingers is moved to one of its positions relative to its blank ahead of the movement of another pair of fingers to the same position relative to its blank.

2. In a metal blank working machine, a bed frame, a reciprocating header slide, a plurality of aligned dies in said frame, tools on said slide for acting on blanks in said dies, a transfer carriage reciprocable along said dies, a plurality of pairs of transfer fingers pivotally mounted on said carriage for reciprocation between adjacent dies, means for reciprocating said carriage, means for moving the fingers of each pair to grip and to release blanks, timing means for said finger moving means for opening one pair of fingers at a different time from another pair, a cam-driven knockout for one of said dies, a spring blankexpelling knockout for another of said dies, a blank stop finger movable into position in front of one of said dies, means for moving said stop finger in front of said one die while the knockout for said die is ejecting a blank into a pair of transfer fingers disposed in front of the die.

3. In a metal blank working machine, a bed frame, a reciprocating header slide, a plurality of aligned dies in said frame, tools on said slide for acting on blanks in said dies, a transfer carriage reciprocable along said dies, a plurality of pairs blank-expelling knockout for another of said dies, a blank stop finger movable into position in front of one of said dies, a finger-operating cam on said cam shaft and means between said latter cam the path of the spring-ejected blank to limit the outward motion of said blank and support the blank after the said tool is free of the blank.

6. Blank-gripping and transporting apparatus reciprocating said carriage to simultaneously move each pair of fingers between adjacent work stations.

7. Blank-gripping and transporting'apparatus comprising frame means having a plurality of work stations, a carriage reciprocable on said frame means, a plurality of pairs of blank-gripping fingers mounted on said carriage, means of each pair together for opening and closing on a blank, a finger-opening means for reciprocating said carriage to move each pair of stations.

9. Apparatus for forming metal articles comprising a frame, a die breast thereon having two blank is completed.

10. In a metal blank working machine, a bed frame, a reciprocating header slide thereon, a pluof the other tool are so moved, so that there is no interference between said one tool and the fingers as the header slide is positioned adjacent said dies.

11. In a metal blank working machine, a bed frame, a reciprocating header slide, a plurality of aligned dies in said frame, tools on said slide for acting on blanks in said dies, a transfer carriage reciprocable along a plane parallel to said aligned dies, a plurality of pairs of transfer fingers mounted on said carriage for reciprocation therewith between adjacent dies, means for reciprocating said carriage, means for moving the fingers of each pair of fingers to grip and release blanks, and timing means for said finger moving means for moving one pair of fingers at a different time than another pair.

12. Apparatus for forming metal articles comprising a frame, a die breast thereon having two or more workstations for the reception of blanks, a header slide reciprocable on said frame, a carriage reciprocable laterally on said breast, a plurality of pairs of transfer fingers on said carriage for transporting blanks progressively from work station to work station, means to open and close individual pairs of transfer fingers independently of each other, blank knockouts for said work stations, means to reciprocate said carriage back and forth between a blank-receiving position and a blank depositing position to advance blanks progressively from station to station, the finger-closing means for one pair of-fingers disposed in front of one of said stations when the carriage is in the blank-receiving position being timed to close about its blank before the fingers in front of the other station are closed.

References Cited in the file of this patent 

